After a buffet breakfast at the hotel we boarded the buses. First stop was Tiananmen Square; the largest city gathering spot in the world. It really is huge; they say that it will hold a million people - probably true as there were several thousand there while we were and it almost seemed empty. Our tour buses parked right across the street from the square - the only ones allowed to do that; we had seen other tour groups walking in from blocks away. 
The second photo here of the guards marching by gives you an idea of the smog - it was right in front of the monument which is almost hidden in the smog. We had about an hour to walk around and take pictures and then we headed for the Forbidden City.
The second photo here of the guards marching by gives you an idea of the smog - it was right in front of the monument which is almost hidden in the smog. We had about an hour to walk around and take pictures and then we headed for the Forbidden City.
The Forbidden City was built in the last dynasties, the Ming and Qing dynasties. It covers about 250 acres and includes pavilions, halls, courtyards, gardens, and gates. I could have spent a couple days here, but we did have a fair amount of time. Leonard (our guide) would stop and give us a short briefing on a building or other site and then 15 or 20 minutes free… then on to the next special area. It worked well; everyone seemed satisfied except one. 
He took off on his own and said he would meet us at the end. Well, he never showed up and after the group looking for him our guide reported him as missing and we went on to lunch. (this is the man that’s doing the big CruiseCritic post on this cruise). It had a good ending… but expensive for him as he said he had to pay $100 for a taxi to the restaurant.(will continue soon!)
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